On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, in Springfield, IL, after an almost two-year-long journey, legislation sponsored by State Rep. Tony McCombie received the unanimous approval of the Illinois House of Representatives. HB 1482 adds protections to DCFS and Adult Protective Service employees from assault, the same protections applied to teachers, Police/Firefighters, and other emergency responders, who protect those in harm’s way.
The legislation is in honor of slain DCFS worker Pam Knight. Shown below, Don Knight, Pam Knight’s husband of 32 years, and one of her grandchildren, Natalie Hollenback, were present in committee to give testimony.
“My wife was assaulted while performing a welfare check. She was trying to protect a two year old child from harm,” said Knight. “Existing law in Illinois protects many first responders. If someone attacks a Firefighter or a Police Officer they are charged with aggravated assault, and it is a felony. The crime of attacking a Social Worker ensuring a child’s safety should be the same. Send a message to child welfare workers–their lives matter. Their safety matters.”
Attacks against State workers who protect our most vulnerable are unfortunately common. There have been more than a dozen attacks since 2013. This legislation essentially closes a loophole in the law that omitted DCFS and Department of Aging workers, from those harsher penalties that are applied when other public servants are attacked.
“This is a public safety bill that closes a loophole to protect DCFS and adult protective service workers. The loophole was discovered when DCFS worker Pam Knight was brutally beaten, and ultimately succumbed to her injuries,” said Rep. McCombie. “This bill was a long-time coming for Pam Knight’s family and our front line workers in DCFS and Adult Protective Services.”
Widower Don Knight said, “I was married to my wife, Pam Knight, for 32 years. She was assaulted while performing a welfare check on September 29, 2017, while trying to make sure a two-year-old child was safe from harm. As a result of that brutal assault she died on February 8, of 2018. Existing law in Illinois protects many first responders. Attacking a Social Worker that is ensuring a child’s safety should have the same protections.”
HB1482 will now move to the Illinois State Senate for consideration. Sen. Brian Stewart has pre-filed to sponsor the legislation.
